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Month: August 2021

How to Address Discrimination

Posted on by admin

Discrimination happens all around us, both online and in real life. It makes people feel unsafe, unwelcome, and like they have to hide who they are.

Whether you’re a part of a group that typically experiences discrimination or not, it’s important that we do all we can to let those on the receiving end know they are welcome and safe.

Speaking out against discrimination (when safe to do so) can be an important way to show support.

We offer some advice to address discrimination when you witness or experience it in your life.

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is the unfair treatment of people and groups based on traits such as race, gender, age, or sexual orientation. It can be extremely damaging and, in many cases, is against the law.

Mission Australia’s Youth Survey Report 2020 revealed that young Australians aged 15-19 years old have significant concerns relating to equity and discrimination.

For the first time, equity and discrimination was reported as the top national issue for young people, rising from third place in 2019 (24.8%) to the top spot in 2020 (40.2%) – an increase of more than 60% year on year.

Discrimination can happen anywhere, from school and work to the shopping centre and on public transport. Obvious examples of discrimination might be someone not getting a promotion because they’re pregnant, or someone of Asian heritage being blamed for COVID-19.

Here are some other more general examples of discrimination:

  • Being teased, bullied, harassed, or threatened
  • Being excluded or left out
  • Being ganged up on
  • Being made fun of
  • Being made to do hurtful or inappropriate things
  • Having to defend who you are and what you believe against stereotypes.

 

Speaking Out Against Discrimination

If you see something that makes you uncomfortable, you can voice your concerns. It’s important to make sure you keep your safety your number-one priority in these situations, though.

Sometimes, speaking up can put you at risk of being hurt – whether physically or emotionally.

If you don’t feel confident or safe taking a stand against discrimination, you can show support in other ways, like by offering help to the person/people affected so they don’t feel alone.

Or you can ask someone with authority to step in, like a parent, teacher, boss, or even the police.

If you feel like it is a safe situation for you to speak up, you might like to keep these things in mind when addressing discrimination:

  • Be calm and direct. If you can’t stay calm, try walking away and approaching the person later.
  • If possible, ask someone to join you so you’re presenting a united front. There’s safety in numbers.
  • Use “I” statements to avoid sounding accusatory. For example, “I noticed you singled this person out” or “I’m uncomfortable with that joke.”
  • Explain that what they’ve said or done has upset you or could hurt others. If they’re speaking out of ignorance, this could be a good opportunity to educate them and help them see a different perspective.

 

If you’re impacted by discrimination, counselling might help. Our counsellors can support you to explore the issues you’re facing and find possible solutions. You can learn more about our counselling service here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment.

Are you lonely working from home?

Posted on by admin

COVID-19 restrictions had many of us working from home for long periods of time, and some of us are still firing up our laptops from the home office or couch.

Working from home has its perks, such as sleep-ins, flexibility, and saving on fuel – but it also has its pitfalls. As we spend more and more time working remotely, we’re learning just how much it can impact our mental health and happiness.

This article will explore some of the psychological effects of working from home and how to avoid loneliness without the social interactions of a workplace.

 

Psychological Effects of Working from Home

Beyond feeling a bit distracted or out of sorts, working from home can have some more serious effects on our mental health.

Research shows some of the negative impacts of working from home include:

  • Loss of social connection
  • Difficulty ‘switching off’ from work
  • Overworking
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety.

If you feel like the “working from home honeymoon” is over, you’re not alone.

In a survey conducted by Relationships Australia in 2020, a whopping 87% of respondents reported a significant change to their workplace since the start of COVID-19, and 63% of respondents agreed these workplace changes have impacted their mental health.

 

How to Maintain Social Connections While Working from Home

The workplace has been an important meeting point for many professionals. A lot of Aussies rely on our colleagues to fill our social cups, and working from home has had a huge impact on these connections.

75% of our 2020 survey respondents who strongly agreed that their workplace was part of their social life experienced a change to their mental health when working from home.

Here are a few ways to maintain your social connections with colleagues while watercooler chats aren’t an option:

  • Schedule social catchups – Missing casual Friday afternoons in the office when you’d drop tools early and chat weekend plans? Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you have to miss out on those social catchups. Bring some culture and fun back to your workday and find a time to catch up with your colleagues over Zoom.
  • Choose video over email – Giving or asking for feedback? Collaborating on a project? Next time you need to reach out to a workmate, consider whether it could be beneficial to talk over video chat instead of email. This can give you a social boost and help solve any work-related issues sooner – win-win!
  • Book regular one-on-ones with your boss – Regular one-on-ones can help build trust and provide an opportunity to voice any concerns. Depending on what’s appropriate for your role, ask your boss for weekly, fortnightly, or monthly catchups to touch base and get some human interaction.

If you need some extra support at the moment, counselling might help. Our experienced counsellors can help you explore your concerns and possible solutions in a safe and supportive environment.

You can learn more about our counselling service here, or call 1300 364 277 to make an appointment.

Learn more interesting ways COVID-19 workplace changes have impacted our mental health here.

Disclosing Mental Illness to Your Employer

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1 in 6 Australians is currently experiencing depression, anxiety, or both. Almost half of Australians (45%) will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. But as common as mental illness is, it can still be a tough topic to raise in the workplace.

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to telling people at work about your mental health condition/s.

Whether you choose to share or not can depend on how much your mental illness impacts your role, the amount of support you have outside the workplace, and your relationships with your boss and/or colleagues.

We explore your rights around mental health in the workplace and offer advice for disclosing mental illness to your employer here.

 

Do I have to tell my work about my mental illness?

Just like with any other health condition, legally, you don’t have to tell your employer about your mental health condition unless it impacts your ability to do your job, or it poses a risk to your safety or the safety of your workmates.

Similarly, you have no legal obligation to disclose mental health problems when applying for jobs unless they affect how you’d perform in the role.

Disclosing mental illness to your employer is a very personal decision. For some people, mental health is a very private part of who they are. It may have no impact on how you do your job, or you may already have enough support outside the workplace and feel there’s not much to gain by disclosing your condition.

If you do choose to tell your employer, they have a legal responsibility to maintain your privacy, protect you from discrimination, and make changes to the workplace to support you and help you keep working.

 

How to talk to your boss about your mental health

These steps might help if you’ve decided to disclose your mental health conditions in the workplace:

  • Consider who to tell – Depending on your situation and work relationships, it can be a good idea to approach HR first. Or if you have a work friend, it can help to talk to them and let them know you’re thinking of telling your boss. This support can make it less daunting.
  • Think about what you need – Before you raise the topic, make sure you have a clear idea of what you’re hoping to gain from telling your employer. Do you need extra support in your role? Flexible deadlines? Shorter work hours? Or do you simply want your boss to have an idea of what you’re going through?
  • Find the right time and place – Try to approach your boss on a day when it’s quiet, and when you’re in a headspace to talk in a calm and collected way. Find a private space in your workplace or suggest going for a walk or to a café nearby.

 

If you’re having a hard time with your mental health, talking to a counsellor can help. You can learn more about our counselling services here, or call 1300 364 277 to book an appointment in person, over the phone, or over videoconferencing.

For strategies to manage and reduce your workplace stress, check out this blog post.